Viewpoint: Positives of body cameras outweigh the negatives

Today’s body cameras worn by the police offer protection and accountability. They provide a way for officers to gather evidence and later present that information to others. The officers may be asked to present the images and audio to the court and jury.

The video may be a starting point that helps explain police tactics and training. It may help or hurt the officer as they defend their actions. Finding the truth behind accusations of brutality or unprofessional behavior is much easier and quicker with audio or video. Video often provides the inebriated, their family, or their attorney a clearer picture of what really took place.

Think of all the cameras the NFL uses each game to try and “make the right call.” They have near perfect lighting conditions and are able to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on top notch, high definition equipment, yet their cameras do not catch every needed angle on every play.

Unfortunately, Manitowoc does not have enough cameras for each officer to wear each day of each shift worked. Most of our cameras were paid for by state equipment grants that are not available today. The cameras worn by Manitowoc police officers are only about four years old, but they are way behind today’s high definition technology.

These are cameras worn on the front of the officer’s shirt and point straight ahead. The cameras do not see off to the side so there is a limited field of view. If the officer is twisting or turning his head to safely see and contact the suspect, the camera may be pointing in the wrong direction. These are two weaknesses that we will address as we purchase the next generation of body cameras.

Lighting conditions may also have an adverse effect on what is recorded. Old technology may mean the officer can see better than the camera in high-speed, low-light conditions. New technology to address one problem may help create another issue. The cameras of today can pick up details in low-light, high-speed situations the human eye can’t. In either event, what can be seen by a human may not be the same as what is caught on camera. Without proper education or guidance either of these two scenarios can lead to suspicion and mistrust of the police by the viewer.

Even with these limitations, the upside to body cameras will continue to grow.

The video of a victim of abuse at the time of the call can have great impact on the lives of the victim’s family and the courts. As a community caretaker we are asked to help those who can’t help themselves. A victim of abuse may not have the strength of heart, mind or body to receive help. A video from the initial call for service may show the real circumstances behind the need for an arrest better than the hurried, written word on a piece of paper at the end of an exhausting shift. Hearing and seeing the victim’s emotional plea for mercy from the attacker or the cries for help in a desperate hour of need can have a huge impact on the viewer.

Several years ago, the State of Wisconsin issued a directive for interrogations to be recorded with audio and, if possible, video. That generation of officers had mixed feelings about the directive. They knew they didn’t do anything wrong but now needed to go through the training and extra work to comply with the directive.

It didn’t take long to realize the benefits of having the interrogation recorded. If there was a question, just rewind the “tape” and replay the interview. I’m sure there will be some growing pains as body cameras become more user friendly on their way to becoming standard issued equipment. Like many new pieces of equipment there will come a time when officers will look back and wonder how we ever got along without them.